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Delmarva Christian High School students perform community service

December 26, 2017

In 1791, state law moved the Sussex County seat from Lewes along the coast to a more geographically centered site now named Georgetown. The law required all votes to be cast in the new county seat on election day. Voters would return two days later to hear the results of tallies on what became known as Return Day.

This year, more than 200 students participated in a return day of their own. The entire student body, faculty and staff of Delmarva Christian High School set out all over the Eastern Shore launching their own annual Return to the Community Day Nov. 9. This annual event is planned to return to the community the many blessings that have been bestowed on the students, staff and school throughout the year.

Some of the Delmarva Christian students participated in manual labor projects including cutting down trees, raking leaves and debris, painting walls, weeding, winterizing porches, cleaning up trash, pulling up carpet, tearing down shelving, and landscaping.

Delmarva Christian High School sophomore Andrew Workman was a jack of all trades at Cross Pointe Nazarene Church in Salisbury, Md. During his three work hours, Andrew cleared out and expanded a room in the church's food panty, tore down multiple shelves, pulled up carpet and dismantled a bookshelf. "Although I ended up with multiple blisters all over my hands, it was a wonderful service experience, and I felt great that I had the opportunity to help in the food pantry," said Andrew.

Other students performed tasks including packaging lunches; working in soup kitchens; collecting canned goods; serving at a food pantry; assisting in schools; helping the sick, elderly and veterans; working in kitchens; and taking care of animals at a shelter.

Sophomore Abby Agapito served at Beaman's Old and Gnu Antiques helping Mary Beaman complete small tasks throughout the store including sweeping, dusting, polishing, and cleaning windows. "I am so glad that I was able to impact Mrs. Beaman being that she is elderly and has had multiple surgeries in the past," said Abby. "By helping her, I received a sense of gratitude and accomplishment for giving back to my community, and it was nice to see how grateful she was for my help."

While many students chose to work alone, DCHS students Maddie Wiggins, Raelynn Fernsick, Alyssa Smith, Olivia Owens, Abby Owens and Emelyn Owens all completed their service together at Harrington Baptist Church. The students painted the walls, trim and ceilings of the classrooms in HBC's fellowship hall in hopes to help speed up their renovations. "We each did our part and completed the most amount of work we could within our three-hour time frame," said Abby. "We helped to paint the classrooms, which in turn will help them finish the church's renovation quicker and bring more people to Jesus."

While students were out giving back to the community, the DCHS faculty and staff donned high-visibility safety vests and gloves, and made their way out to Sussex Pines Road. There the group worked together to pick up trash and clean the Delmarva Christian Schools’ adopted road. DCHS teacher Tiffany Haley said, "As a staff member, I believe it is important that our students see we are participating in giving back to the community as well."

The mission of Delmarva Christian Schools is to proclaim the gospel by preparing students spiritually, academically, and physically to know and do God's will in their lives.

For more information, call 302-856-4040 or go to www.delmarvachristian.com.

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